Paris, France

Best Places To Visit in Paris

For the foreseeable future, visitors to Paris should expect to
encounter a high level of security and various security-related precautions
deemed necessary to counter the current terror threat posed by ISIL and
other terrorist organizations.

On this page, we describe the best places to visit in Paris organized by the most
popular sights and attractions.

Also included are brief descriptions of other venues near the
major attractions in case something might catch your eye.

Click either the photo or the link in the paragraphs below for
more
detailed information on any of the best places to visit in Paris we
recommend.

Links to all of the best places to visit in Paris are in the
index at the bottom of this page

1. Notre Dame

Towering Notre Dame
Cathedral and its island home, the île de la Cite, are the visual
crown of the historic
heart of Paris. In 2013 the cathedral will celebrate its 850th
birthday accompanied by nine newly cast bronze bells. Nearby is the Palais de Justice made famous during the
French Revolution, the Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was
imprisoned), the stained glass mastery of the church Saint Chapelle, the famous Pont Neuf
Bridge, and the delightful residences and shops of the island Île de Sainte Louis. Click for
more details on
Notre Dame and surrounding attractions.

2. Eiffel Tower

Visiting
the stunning, world-famous Eiffel Tower and viewing the city from on high is
considered by many the traditional right of passage when visiting Paris. Nearby are: the Palais de Chaillot and its museums, the Musée
du Quai Branly (ethnography) and the Musée Marmottan Monet (an excellent art museum focused on the works of Monet). Click for
more details on the
Eiffel Tower and nearby attractions.

3. Champs Elysées

This
the romantic heart of Paris and one of the most popular streets for strolling
and shopping while gazing at the monumental Arc de Triomphe. Seine River cruises are nearby.
Click for more details on the many things to see and do on the
Champs Elysées.

4.
The Louvre

Perhaps
the most well-known and important of the world's museums, the Louvre has an
incomparable collection of art (including the Mona Lisa), statuary and
historic artifacts. The beautiful Tuilleries Gardens are nearby,
as is the Orangerie that houses Monet's famous Water Lily paintings.
Click for more details on the
Louvre at its surrounding attractions.

5.
The Latin Quarter

Home
of the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the fabulous Museum of the Middle Ages
and the Delacroix Museum, this is the historic, "intellectual capital" of
Paris. The Luxembourg Gardens is a wonderful park in the middle of the city
and nearby St. Germain-des-Prés is trendy shopping area full of
interesting boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. Da Vinci
Code fans should be on the lookout of the church Saint-Sulpice in
Saint Germain-des-Pres. Click for more details on the
Latin Quarter and the best places to visit in this area.

6.
Invalides

The
Saint Louis des Invalides church houses the final resting place of
Napoleon I, and many other of France's military heroes. Nearby is
the Musée d'Orsay, the grand museum of the
Impressionists, as well as the Rodin Museum exhibiting many of the
master's works. Click for more details on the
Invalides and surrounding attractions

7.
The Marias

The
Marais is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris and its Places des Vosges
is a delightful 17th century residential square. The nearby Musée
Picasso is a must see (it reopens in summer 2013), as is the Musée Carnavalet focused on the history of
Paris. Les Halles ( a modern version of the historic markets of
Paris), the amazing Pompidou Center and its modern art, as well as the
Stately Hôtel de Ville, the City Hall of Paris are in close proximity.
In addition, the Place de la Bastille is nearby, although there is not much
to see of importance has survived the passage of time. Click for more
details on the best places to visit in the
Marais.

8.
Montmartre

The
scene for countless novels, movies and paintings, Montmartre is another of
the popular destinations in Paris. See the famous church Sacre Couer, the
artists at the Place du Tertre and, if you are a fan on the "can-can", get
reservations for the Moulin Rouge. Click for more details on
Montmartre and its interesting neighborhood.

9.
Central Paris

The
Place de la Concorde and its famous obelisk was once the site of the
guillotine and the executions of many of the royalty during the French
Revolution. The Rue Saint-Honoré and the Place de
la Madeline are prime shopping areas, as is the Place Vendome with it Grand
Column celebrating the Napoleon. See also the beautiful Opéra
Garnier as you head for more shopping at the Grand Magasins, including
Printemps and the Galeries Lafayette. Click for more details
on what to see and do in
Central Paris.

10.
Père Lachaise Cemetery

It
is curious that one of the most interesting attractions in Paris is
the Lachaise cemetery. This historic burial grounds is the final resting place of many notable
luminaries and is a historical who's who of Paris, its history and the arts.
Click for more details on
Père Lachaise and links to our map of the
area.

We recommend the four locations immediately below as easy
daytrips from Paris that will help balance the frenetic pace of touring the
city with enchanting country estates, palaces and gardens. Our page on
Fontainebleau also includes a description of the amazing chateau Vaux le Vicomte

Although we do not cover it in detail in our guide, Disneyland Paris attracts visitors of
all ages and is just a little over a half-hour east of Paris by RER train. Fantasyland,
Discoveryland, Frontierland and Adventureland lead the pack, but these are
just part of the Disneyland Paris experience.
See the official website of
Disneyland Paris for more details on visiting.

12. Daytrips - Farther Afield

If you are willing to travel "farther afield", click the button
below for information on visiting 1) the World War II Invasion Beaches of Normandy,
2) the Loire Valley
and its Chateaus, 3)Chartres Cathedral, or 4) the majestically situated Mont
Sainte Michel in southern Normandy on the border with Brittany.